HISTORY
History of the Eaton Country Club
In about 1912, Walter G. Shannon, who was an insurance agent in Eaton was called to Chicago by his company to attend a meeting. After a morning session, one of his friends told him that he was going out to play golf that afternoon. He asked Walter to join him. This was the first time Walter had been on a golf course. In playing a round, “W.G.” he was called, fell in love with the game. His friends gave him a couple of old clubs and he proudly came home to pursue the game. He lived at 623 East Main Street, where Jake Earley now lives. He collected lots of corn cobs with which to practice because he had no golf balls.
He soon contacted some of his friends, namely: Walter Tyrrell, Fred Filbert, Hugh Gilmore, A.J. Hiestand (1874-1954), and Robert Hiestand, and told them of the wonders of golf. They suggested they look around for a place where they could put in a couple of holes and play golf. After a search for a location, they found a lower field where holes number 5, 6, and 7 are now located.
Some 40 acres composed the entire farm which was owned by Elam Fisher. After long bickering an agreement was reached to buy all 40 acres for $8,000.00 and an option was taken. Then to raise money, a corporation was formed, stock was issued and townspeople were solicited to buy stock as a civic project. J.E. Parker, Sr. was active in many ways in the organization. He influenced H. H. (Chuck) Hawkins, who was an employee of J.E. Parker and Co., to take the job of Secretary-Treasurer. He also influenced Elam Fisher to sell the land for the original amount, without a price increase. As the years passed, the option was to run out on March 15, 1920.
It was getting serious because the purchase price had not been raised. So AJ Hiestand and Griff Rensman came to the rescue. They loaned the Club the $8,000 at no interest, to pay the option and they took a deed for the land as security. This deed was recorded on March 15, 1920. During the next year, the money was raised and the Eaton Country Club paid off Hiestand and Rensman and received their deed which is dated February 26, 1921. The first step had been a success. In the meantime, with the option taken, the Eaton Country Club Company was organized and the shares of stock were being sold at $100 per share.
So the Eaton Country Club was organized. They established rules of operation, set the annual dues at $25, and elected officers. Arrangements were made to proceed with the development of the golf course and its
operation.
The lower field was disked and grass planted. Ab Tyrrell (Walter’s brother) was hired as the caretaker. Ab Tyrrell had a horse and together with a single small mower, which he hitched to the horse, mowed the fairways by leading the horse around. The greens were formed by using a hand mower which was set very low, right out of the fairway. A hole in the middle of the green was a can that was seldom moved. It was difficult for a man leading a horse with a small mower to cut all the grass. Walter Tyrrell was a stock buyer and he had purchased a large number of sheep.
He suggested the sheep be turned loose on the course to keep the grass down. It worked
fine, but sheep have no respect for golf greens, but the problem was solved by placing a broom at each green. No one seemed to mind if the green had to be swept before he putted. Also, there was no such thing as a wood tee as we have now. At each tee was a wooden box with sand in it. You would get a big pinch of sand and construct it to a point and tee your ball in that manner.
Number 1 tee was located opposite the iron bridge, next to a tree by the Iron Gate. You can still see the small raised tee there.
In 1920 the members talked about a clubhouse. The location created a controversy. Some of the members wanted the clubhouse located on the present site, and some wanted it located on the present Number 8 tee so the clubhouse could be accessible from the iron bridge. The present location won by a very close vote and building began in July 1921.
Country Club Minutes show new Clubhouse was turned over to Members on January 2, 1922. Harvey Hiestand designed the building. Beck Brothers & Riley were contractors, John E. Parker agreed to build the fireplace. He collected stones from all over the county for the fireplace. Others contributed time, material, and labor. The clubhouse was quite a contribution to Eaton, and for many years the social activities centered around it. Bridge parties and dances were numerous and added to the social life of Eaton. The Eaton Country Club prospered and became a valued asset to the community.
In 1927 a financial depression affected the Club. Members had a problem paying the $25 dues. At the annual meeting, several had not paid. Remarks were made to the effect that the Club needed the money to operate and if
the members did not pay their dues, they should be denied the privileges of membership. The bylaws stated the method of payment and President William H. Hiestand had to enforce them to the extent that several people were denied the privileges of membership. It was a difficult time.
The golf course needed changes. Nothing had been done to modernize it. Bill Sime was consulted to recommend the necessary changes. We borrowed about $4,000 and hired Burns and Curry to do much of the work. Number 3 green was changed and enlarged to its present size. Numbers 6 and 8 were also enlarged (as a matter of fact all the greens were enlarged).
The hill at Number 7 was cut back and the ramp built. Previously the hill had extended farther East making a blind shot to the green.
The pro at Miami Valley Country Club at this time was Nipper Campbell. Nipper had come from Scotland. He also played in many US Open Championships & won the Scottish Open. Around his house he had a large bed of creeping bent grass. Our board purchased enough of that bent grass to plant on all of our greens. Nipper and his crew prepared the greens and planted the grass. Nipper Campbell also instructed us in the care of the greens, and as problems arose, he would be consulted and advise us on the proper procedures.
And during the Great Depression in 1933, the Board called emergency meeting to save club and drastic action was taken. The By Laws were suspended and the Board was given total judgement on dues, members billings and financials.
During the subsequent years, many things have been added to the course and to the clubhouse. Certainly one of the biggest improvements was the acquisition of the field to the West. It changed the Number 9 hole and added a shag field. The clubhouse was enlarged by enclosing the porch at the South side and building the dining room to the East.
We should not forget the heritage left to us by those early pioneers for a golf club. Hard times, yes; but they had the vision and determination to create a valued asset for our community. Let us then appreciate what they left us and make it a continued and valued part of living in such a fine place as Eaton, Ohio.
Excerpts from: William H. Hiestand
September 28, 1983